Hi all, I'm a pretty new member to NAM but you may have seen a couple of posts from me after I ordered my MINI on August 18th. Got extremely lucky and the MINI was delivered 2 Saturdays ago, the 15th - exactly four weeks wait. Loving the car, starting to get a feel for it an even planning various mods when on Wednesday it happens.

It's a little after midnight and I'm driving back home from work on a two lane road, going around the last curve before I hit the highway which leads straight back to my college campus. It's a really dark road and the curve is pretty sharp so you cannot see the end of it until you're like halfway through it; therefore I slow down. Almost through and some IDIOT driver (turns out he was drunk) is in my lane coming towards me, head on, and what seems to be way above the 35mph speed limit. The road has no shoulder so I slow down significantly, not wanting to steer into his lane as he's drifting all over the place. Finally he gets back into his correct lane and all seems fine until for WHATEVER reason the ******* decides to swerve BACK into my lane, colliding right into the area like where the gas cap is and sending me flying into a phone pole which is off the road, to the right of me.

The whole thing happened so fast that I try to brake but it's way too late. I crash into it with a ton of force; the driver's airbag goes off and had it not been for the seat belt pre-tensioner, I know I'd have gone right into the windshield. What sucks most is right after the crash all I could think to myself is 'this car is amazing!'. The interior lights came on, the hazards started flashing and everything unlocked. Also, getting out to survey the damage (right before running over to beat the drunk driver's ***) the car seriously seemed to take the damage quite well. There was a lot of steam, I'm guessing from the radiator, and obviously the hood and front bumper was a mess, but besides that everything seemed fine. Unfortunately somehow the horn got stuck going off, which freaked me out quite a lot but the battery died in about 10 minutes or so. I won't get into the details of the other driver, but after calling 911 he definitely got his - locked up and I hope it's for quite awhile. I'm not sure if this is a PA regulation only but the police called the fire department to come and cut the battery terminal lines. Such pain when I had to watch them use that 'jaws of life' tool to pry my poor hood open, then going to collect the side view mirror which flew like 250 feet away.

Anyway, getting onto the WORST part... Before getting out of the car right after the accident I try to put it in park (it's an automatic) but it won't budge. I figure it's probably just some kind of interlock and especially in the midst of everything don't even think of it. So I get a call today from the body shop (who I've been calling literally non-stop since last week) saying that they just finished the appraisal. It's a total... Although the cosmetic damage may not have been SO bad (although I know that front end is a ton in itself to repair correctly) there's extensive mechanical damage which I couldn't have even imagined. Apparently it wouldn't go into park as the transmission actually CRACKED as did the turbo. Both the radiator and intercooler were totally destroyed, the muffler connections severed, and various wires broken. Keep in mind I'd just purchased the MINI FOUR DAYS prior and paid $30,750 for it before taxes and fees - this alone can give you a good idea of the damage.

Thankfully I purchased 'MINI Motoring Insurance' through Liberty Mutual and they've been great to work with thus far. Issuing me a check for the exact amount I paid... But is this just unbelievable or what!?! Since it's so late in the year now, and I'll have to wait another 6-8 weeks anyway plus snow will be starting soon, I'm just gonna wait it out and buy after the Christmas holidays. I know the '08 models won't have any big changes but I can't even imagine going through the entire process again this early, especially when with the amount of snow we get here I won't be driving it much in the coming months anyway. So I'm MINI-less... Most depressing part is my 'Lets Motor' license plate frame just came in the mail today along with my permanent registration. I'm basically in denial and haven't even taken the key off my keychain yet; doubt I will for awhile... UNBELIEVABLE

 

luckily all that was bruised was your psyche. Sad story---just re-order. The wait will be tough but at least you are here and healthy to agonize about it.

Too many idiots out there--way too many

 

First off, I'm very HAPPY that you are alright and able to post to tell us.

I'm so very SORRY that this happened to you.

Your MINI gave its life protecting you - reason enough to buy another one!! It did its job magnificently.

 

Oh my goodness, MSteadman... I can't believe it - I was shocked to read your news. What a bummer, especially after the long wait. Hearing about it saddens me, I can't imagine how you feel (I'd be in denial too). However, and I know everyone else will have the same exact thought - you are fortunate to be in one piece. I'm glad you came through it ok and are here to post about it.

Keep the key - hell, frame it - as a reminder that your MINI gave up the ghost while protecting you.

Man.

 

 

wow, glad you're ok and it seems like things are working out. Damn drunk drivers, sorry about your new MINI...that really sucks

 

WOW! This makes me want to cry! We were initally in the same production week and I can't even imagine anything happening to my car. I have nightmares about just getting a scratch :( I'm so sorry. I wish you the best of luck in getting a new mini. Hopefully the wait wont be too bad.

ps. any pics of the damage so we can see how the mini protected you?

 

That's terrible! I am glad you are OK.

 

So sorry for your loss but in the end your MINI did its job and gave its life for yours which is well worth the wait for your next MINI.

 

Hi Msteadman - glad to hear you're okay after that! But I'm curious...did the insurance cover the taxes and fees you paid? It seems like that should be covered too.

 

Wow that is a terrible story, very glad you are ok, bummer about your new MCS. At least you were not on a motorcycle, now that would have been very bad (i.e. deadly). What exactly is MiniMotoring Insurance?

 

argh!!!! I hate drunk drivers!!! i am sooo glad that u r ok... i got ran off the rd in a 92' camaro by '76 caprice... didn't do that much damage but they were drunk... it is for reasons like this that i purchased my mini... nowhere else can u find such a safe, economical, comfortable and yet quirky to boot... i've seen so many pics of terrible wrecks w/ minis and all the drivers were practically unscathed....

THANK YOU OXFORD ENGLAND FOR CARING FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!

hope ur back motoring in no time... maybe call miniusa and see if they can find one prebuilt close to ur specs...

 

Glad you're OK. MINIs can be replaced. I can understand waiting for a spring delivery if you don't drive in the winter, but you don't need to wait for very long for the 2008. If they aren't taking orders for them now, they will be soon.

On a side note, paragraphs would be nice in a post that large. I hope you use them in your college papers.

 

Sorry to hear about your MINI, it certainly sucks! At least you are ok!

brassknuckle, I'm guessing that insurance is sort of like gap insurance in case something like this happens. (car totaled when upside down on the loan)

 

I can't put it any better than this! On ALL points!

 

I went 6 days without a MINI when I totalled mine. Long six days, but they had exactly what the wife wanted on the on the show room floor. Have you looked to see what the dealer has?

 

That is terrible and unbelievable....We are all glad you came out allright but sorry to hear about your new car. It sounds like your insurance will take care of you, which is really the least of what happened....it could have been worse but glad you walked away to tell the story.

A moment of silence please..

 

My oh my - this is SO sad!! I'm sorry about your MINI but SO glad that you are okay...

Donna

 

How awful! I remember your pictures in 1st gear -- you looked so happy.

Best of luck on a speedy replacement.

 

Msteadman,

I am deeply sorry to hear this terrible news. I'm so glad you walked away, but I can only imagine the terrible anguish of losing your MINI. Even though it's 'just' a material object, it had a lot of you in it and I know it was far more than just a car to you.

I really hope you'll get another MINI when you're ready and that you'll stay active with NAM while you go through the messy process of cleaning up and moving on.

Let's hope PA prosecutes this f-----r to the fullest extent. I think I would have tried to strangle him then and there!!!

I can't seem to adequately express myself here, but please know you're in my thoughts-prayers-wishes.

 

Heh! Yeah, the paragraph is your friend.

But it's incredible you weren't hurt. The car really is amazing to protect you so well.

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

Wow. Glad you could walk away OK.

 

Another MINI does it's job and pays the ultimate price.
Glad you were ok.

 

I interpreted this differently than MVD. To me, it was a plea to Msteadman to return...i.e., please return to happy MINI ownership and motoring bliss! You'd be honoring the ultimate sacrifice of MINI #1.

Msteadman, I can't even begin to imagine your sense of loss. I'm really sorry, but at the same time incredibly thankful that you're okay.

I imagine the perp will be cooling his heels in the clink for quite a spell...as he should. A tiny part in me wants to feel sorry for him too, but man it's so tough.

 

Oh jeez....so sorry to read about this, Msteadman! As so many have said, the MINI did its job and protected you. Did you have any harsh jolt from the impact? Please be sure to get yourself checked in case there is some delayed injury. Best wishes and hope you get a replacement MINI soon.